1/29 Recap: Tropp stops drought as Spartans top rival

Corey Tropp scored a pair of power play goals on Friday, his 18th and 19th of the season, as #12 Michigan State held off a late run to earn a 3-2 win over rival Michigan. The goals, a backhander through traffic and a tight-angle cashing of his own rebound, were his first in seven games dating back to December 29th.

The Spartans got off to a 3-0 lead before allowing the Wolverines to get back on the map with two third period goals. Michigan looked to have tied the game in the final minute, but Chris Brown's apparent marker was waved off to send MSU to victory.

The game's #1 star, Tropp below speaks about the win as part of BTN's post-game coverage:

In the OHL, Marcus Foligno scored a goal and an assist as Sudbury suffered their second defeat in as many nights in a 5-2 loss to Kitchener. Foligno, who was -1 with a pair of minor penalties in the Wolves 4-1 loss to Barrie the night before, registered his fourth multi-point game in the month of January after having just three in the 2009 portion of the season.

Nick Crawford was even as Barrie beat Mississauga, 4-0. On Thursday, the 6'1 defender racked up four assists in the Colts cruise over Foligno's Wolves. The Thursday effort, his fourth four-point game of the season, thrusted Crawford into a tie for the OHL assist lead for defensemen with 41. The shutdown dman remains as the 2nd leading defensive point-getter with 51 through 48 games played.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb collected a pair of power-play assists as Kootenay earned a 4-1 win over Prince Albert. The two-point night comes after his one goal, one assist effort in Tuesday's 6-5 OT loss to Brandon. The 6'4 McNabb is currently fourth among WHL defensemen with 48 points (14+34).

Rounding out the Friday slate, Drew MacKenzie (+1) posted an assist and four shots on goal as #17 Vermont lost to #19 Maine, 6-3. The 6'2 rearguard now has a goal and six assists this season.

Brad Eidsness stopped all nine shots he faced through 40-minutes of relief work as #4 North Dakota stumbled on home ice against #3 Denver, 2-0. The sophomore netminder was put in to spark a flat Sioux squad after freshman Aaron Dell gave up two goals on the Pioneers' first four shots. Corey Fienhage was even with a shot on goal stemming from a good opportunity off a rush.

Alex Biega was even with three shots on goal as Harvard lost to Princeton, 2-1. The loss snaps the Crimson's five-game ECAC unbeaten streak.

Justin Jokinen finished even as Minnesota State lost to Michigan Tech, 4-1. Jokinen's Mavericks have now lost five straight, while the Huskies notched their first victory in 15 games.

Per the usual, Connor Knapp watched in his Friday bench posture as #1 Miami downed Western Michigan, 4-1. The sophomore netminder is expected to vie for his second consecutive shutout when the RedHawks go for the sweep of the Broncos on Saturday.

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Kris Baker was raised in a hockey rink. When you were watching Star Wars, he was watching Peter Puck. Bakes' favorite food is chicken soup from the vending machine, and he'd register a Zamboni with the DMV if allowed.